"This time, it's Takeshima curry" — Shimane Prefecture at it again: "Do they really think this will make Dokdo Japanese territory?"

[Financial News] Shimane Prefecture in Japan has sparked controversy after it became known that, ahead of its February 22 "Takeshima Day" event, it will sell "Takeshima curry" in the cafeteria of the prefectural government building. Takeshima is the name Japan uses for Dokdo.
Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University wrote on his social networking service (SNS) account on the 19th, "I heard that the basement cafeteria of the Shimane Prefectural Office will be selling 'Takeshima curry' today and tomorrow for two days."
Takeshima Day is an event created by Shimane Prefecture in 2005 and held every year on February 22 since 2006. The prefectural authorities have pushed ahead with the event each year, repeatedly calling on the Government of Japan to send cabinet ministers to attend.
Takeshima curry is a limited-time menu item offered by Shimane Prefecture. The rice is shaped to resemble the east and west islets of Dokdo, and curry sauce is poured around it. A small flag reading "Takeshima" is planted on top of the rice.
Commenting on this, Seo said it "was an expression of provocation over Dokdo," and criticized it as "a strategy to steadily serve 'Takeshima curry' in order to instill in local officials and residents the perception that Dokdo is their own territory."
He went on, "Do they really think this will make Dokdo Japanese territory?" and argued, "If Japan truly wants sound Japan–South Korea relations, it must start by abolishing the Takeshima Day event." He also emphasized, "I hope the Government of Japan and Shimane Prefecture will from now on adopt a correct view of history and act in ways that will not shame the next generation."
Meanwhile, the Government of Japan has decided, as in previous years, not to send a minister-level official to this year's ceremony, but instead to dispatch a parliamentary vice-minister from the Cabinet Office. Jiji Press reported that although Takaichi Sanae, now prime minister, argued during last autumn's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race that "a minister should attend Takeshima Day with confidence; there is no need to worry about how South Korea might react," she appears to have made this decision in light of the recent improvement in Japan–South Korea relations since taking office.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter